Transverse bow construction



I March 21, 1950 A, KELLER 2,501,392

7 TRANSVERSE BOW CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 25, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. AUGUST KELLER A TTOPNEY March 21, 1950 A. KELLER TRANSVERSE BOW CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 25, 1947 INVENTOR. Aueus'r KELLER ATTORNEV 8 "...L m...... 5n 2. N H UHH Patented Mar. 21, 1950 UNIT so STAT Es- PATENT F FlCE- Y 2,501,392 r I TRANSVERSE "BOW CONSTRUCTION August Keller,- D'earborn, Mich, assignor; by mesne assignments, to Detroit Harvester Com pany, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application-Octoben25, 1947,.Serial No. 782,067

The-apresent invention relates to improvementtion,:particularly therear bow which is subiected-- tortheugreatest force:- in, holding. thetopv in the raised? position, were. made of-curved wood sections. costly to manufacture in the-ordinary case-,;but at present are very difiicult to obtain'because. of the shortagerof' hardwood product's. Furthermore,

in order: to adapt the shape'of the-bow to various artistic designs inthecontour of the'top, special. expensive shapingrand: constructionv of the" wood bow'sections. are; required, :thereby restricting the commercial feasibility of wood bows to afew conventional and relatively economically manufactured designs.

Accordingly, an importantobject'of the presentinvention is -toprovide a sturdy essentially allmetal bow constructionof, suitablelrigidity for the purpose described, which maybe readily and economicallyrx manufactured by mass. production methods. and-which provides meansfor tacking theiiexible material: of the automobile top to the. bow where desired and iorholding. asoft felt-likematerial:inpositionvbetweenthe'top and the adjacent surface of the-bow-to' prevent chafing of the flexible top material;

Another: object of the-present invention is to' provide such a bow which readily'lends itself" to economical construction in various desired shapes so-astoconform to the contour: of the top: material when. the top is in the raised position, thereby permitting increased versatility: in, the design and artistry ofothe top Other objects-of this invention will appear in the following description"and appended claims,

reference being: had :to the accompanying draw-1 ingsforming a part of this specification wherein; like. reierence. characters designate Y. corresponding. par-tam therseveralyiews.

In the drawings:-

Such wood sections'are not OnIysIOW-and' Claims. (Cl. 296-118)\ Fig-1' 1. is: essentially airagmentary vertical. secpresent. invention;

Fig; 2 is.a fragmentary iew taken essentially in thadirectiozr orthe arrows alongsthe line 2"-2- of 2 fragmentary portionsof the bow supporting: pos'ts; the fabric topbeing removed;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentaryvertical 'sec tion' through the. rear bow taken in-the direction of the-arrows essentially along the line 3-'-3 of" Fig; 2;

Fig. 4 is'an enlarged; fragmentary elevation with portions broken away," showing the connection between thebow and supporting posts and: taken essentially in the direction of the arrows along" the line"4'-4 of'Figi 2.:

Fig: .5- is an enlarged fragmentary." sectionthrough thetacking strip,taken essentially in the direction of the arrows along-the line 5+5; of Fig. 3.

Fig; 6 is essentiallyan'elevation-of another rear bow embodyingrthe present invention, showing" fragmentary portions: of the supporting posts therefor;

Fig; '7 is: an enlarged'fragmentarysectionat view taken: essentially in .the direction ofthe: arrows" along the line 1 1'of Fig. 6.

Fig;- 8 is essentially "anenlarged! section taken" iIl'thGT-dii'BCtiOH of the arrows along the line 8-8" of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9*- is' essentially 'ansenlarged: section? taken in the direction of the' arrows along 'the-1ine99of Fig-:1 6,- showing the connection. between: the-supporting post and the bow; 1

Fig; 10"is essentially anenla-rged: section near thetendof. the bow, taken in'the direction of the arrows. alongthe line l0l-0 of Fig. 6.

Fig/11 is essentially am elevation of the-forwardbow; taken in the directionof the arrows" .along-theline 'H-H "of Fig. 1, the flexible top not limited in 'its application to the details'of construction' and arrangement-of parts illustrated in the "accompanying drawings; since the inven tion iscapabl'e of 'other'embod'iments' and of being practicedyorf carried 'outrin variousbways. Also it "is toabeunderstood -that the. phraseology or ter minolog-y employed: herein! is for the purpose of description and not of-"limitation.

Figwl shows arr" idealized vertical sectionthrough a convertible type automobile, indicated Fig; 1 ,.showing.anel'evatioh:of the rearboiw audios generallyv by thewnumeral" 28;; employing three top supporting bows, indicated generally by the numerals 2|, 22, and 23, embodying the present invention, and adapted to support the flexible top 24 when the latter is in the raised position. Opposite ends of the bow 2! are supported by the pair of bow supporting posts 25, Fig. 1, which latter are pivotally secured at 28 to the top frame, indicated generally by the numeral 21. The posts 25 may be suitably constructed from metal or hard wood. Bow supporting posts for the bows 22 and 23 may similarly be employed where required, although such posts are relatively short because of the shorter distance between the ends of the bows 22 and 23 and the frame 21, and may be entirely eliminated where it is feasible to attach the end of the bows 22 and 23 directly to the supporting frame 21.

The bowed construction of the rear how 2!, which extends transverse to the longitudinal lines of the automobile and is curved downward at its opposite ends, is shown in the elevation, Fig. 2. Details of the construction are shown in Fig. 3 wherein a longitudinal upper metal bow panel 28 extends essentially the length of the bow 2i and comprises an inverted bowed channel structure having the lateral downward extending sides 29 which provide the lateral outwardly extending flanges '30 at opposite sides of the channel mouth. A tacking groove 31 is provided in the upper surface of the channel base of the upper bow panel 28 for tacking material 32 comprising strips of twisted paper, cardboard, or the like, to which the flexible top 24 is tacked.

In the construction of the bow 2i, the tacking filler 32 is first inserted within the groove 3| therefor and is securely stapled in place by the plurality of staples 33, which extend through the tacking material 32 and the bottom of the tacking groove 3|, to which latter they are clinched and securely held in position as shown in Fig. 5. The lower bow panel 35, bowed to conform to the bowed contour of the upper bow panel 28, is secured across the mouth of the channel of the latter to the flanges 30, as by spot welding at 36 for example.

It is to be noted, particularly in Fig. 3, that the space at opposite ends of the bow 2!, between the underside of the groove 3| and the upper side of the lower bow panel 35, is adapted for insertion of the upper portions of the posts 25, which latter are preferably secured to the ends of the upper bow panel 28, as for example by the screws 34. A degree of adjustability of the screws 34 is permitted during installation by the employment of slightly oversized screw holes within either the overlapping ends of the posts 25 or the upper bow panel 28. Discontinuities in the tacking '32 are provided at the region of the. screws 34, Fig. 4, to permit tightening of the posts 25 to the base of the groove 3|.

The longitudinal lateral edges 31 of the lower bow panel 35 are rolledupward and inward to ornament and reinforce the assembled bow construction and also to dispose the abrupt cut edges of the lower bow panel 35 from view. The panel 35 serves as an ornamental cover plate which hides the crimped ends of the staples 33 and the under structure of the upper bow panel 28.

The construction shown permits the use of sheet steel or light gage metal for the bow and forms a particularly rigid construction suitable for use with the rear bow which must be adapted to withstand the major portion of the force exerted by the flexible top 24 as a result of the greater curvature at the rear of the top when 4 the latter is in the unfolded or raised position. The tubular or box structure formed between the upper and lower bow panels 28 and 35 results in a rugged bow construction which is further reinforced by the rolled lateral edges 31, the longitudinal convolutions which comprise the channel 3|, and the double thickness between the panel 35 and flanges 30 along the weld line 36.

The offsets at 38 near the ends of the bow 2| are provided as a design feature to effect a longitudinally ribbed appearance to the flexible top material 24 when the latter is unfolded. It is apparent that the formed light gage metal bow construction disclosed herein is readily adaptable to a wide and versatile range in design without appreciable additional cost.

Figs. 6 through 10 show a slightly modified form of the rear bow ZIA wherein the channel sides 28A, the flanges 30A, and the tacking groove 3IA of the upper panel 28A are similar in construction and purpose to the corresponding features of the aforementioned upper panel 28. A tacking material 32A is held within the tacking groove MA by the plurality of staples 33A clinched beneath the base of the tacking groove 3IA. The lower panel 35A is similar in construction and purpose to the aforementioned panel 35 and covers the channel mouth of the panel 28A, being welded to the flanges 30A thereof at the spot welds 35A, and being provided with the lateral rolled edges 31A. The overall design of the bow HA is similar to the design of the bow 2| and provides the offset 38A.

An additional feature of the bow MA is pro vlded by the reinforcing wires 39A which extend longitudinally of the bow 21A within each of the upward rolled lateral edges 31A. The opposite ends of the wires 39A are suitably secured at the opposite ends of the bow construction. The open ends of the bow 21A are adapted to receive the ends of the posts 25A between the base of the groove MA and the lower bow panel 35A, Figs. 8, 9, and 10. The overlapping ends of the posts 25A are secured in place by the plurality of screws 34A after the panel 35A is welded to the upper panel 28A. It is to be noted that the screws 34A extend through the underside of the lower panel 35A, Fig. 7, rather than through the base of the groove 3|A. Thus discontinuities in the tacking strip 32A are avoided.

Figs. 8, 9, and 10 show the gradual diminution of the flange 38A, until as shown in Fig. 10, at the downward extremity of the bow '2IA, the flange 30A is virtually eliminated and the lower edges of the sides 29A are welded directly to the lower bow panel 35A at the spot weld line 36A.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in the bow 23 of Figs. 11, 12, and 13 and is preferably adapted for use as either the center how 22 or the forward how 23, which in the usual situation are not subjected to as much stress as the rear bow 2!. In this situation, as shown in Fig. 12, the how 23 is preferably fabricated from a one piece section of light gage metal tubular stock which is rolled to provide the dove-tail groove 50 having the reinforced double walled base 5i. However, the bow 23 may also be conveniently rolled from longitudinal strips of light'gage sheet steel or other metal alloy to form essentially the same construction as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The double walled base 5! is arched upwardly to provide the concavo-convex surface as shown in Fig. 12. At opposite ends of the bow 23, a plurality of screw holes 52 are formed in the double walled base 5|.

Thereafter, the region around each screw hole 52 is reinforced by a conical upset portion 53. The reinforced screw holes permit attachment of the bow 23 to supporting posts similar to the posts and 25A.

As usually employed to support the flexible top 24, the central and forward bows 22 and 23 respectively are preferably not tacked to the top 24 throughout the major central portions of these bows. Accordingly, a felt filler strip 54 is interlocked within the dove-tail groove 50 essentially along the portion thereof between the olfsets 55, Fig. 11. The upper portion of the felt filler 54 extends slightly above the top of the bow 23 in contact with the cover 24 to provide a soft pad therefor and to prevent the latter from chafing on the bows upper surface. A tacking material 56, similar to the tacking material 32, is inserted within the groove 50 essentially laterally to the offsets 55. In this situation, the tacking 56 is held in place by the dove-tailed cross section of the grOOVe 50 and permits tacking of the top 2 to the end portions of the bow 23.

From the foregoing, an improved, sturdy, allmetal bow structure has been provided which may be readily and economically manufactured by mass production methods in a wide range of designs from light gage sheet metal or tubular stock, and which provides means for holding strips of tacking material or felt-like material in place to permit either tacking of the flexible top to the bow where desired or to prevent chafing of the top against the metal portions of the bow.

I claim:

1. In a formed metal bow construction for an automobile convertible top having lateral bow supporting posts, the combination of a longitudinally bowed upper bow panel, a longitudinal lower bow panel disposed below said upper bow panel and bowed to conform essentially to the bowed contour thereof, said :upper bow panel including lateral spacer panels secured to said lower panel to provide a tubular opening extending longitudinally of said how for receiving said supporting post within opposite ends of said bow, said lower bow panel having upwardly rolled lateral edges extending beyond the attachment of said lower bow panel with said lateral spacer panels, and a tacking groove within the upper surface of said upper bow panel and extending longitudinally thereof.

2. The combination in a bow as claimed in claim 1 and being further characterized in that a reinforcing wire, secured at opposite ends of said bow, extends longitudinally of said how within each of said upwardly rolled lateral edges of said lower bow panel.

3. In a bow of metal construction for an automobile convertible top having lateral bow supporting posts, the combination of a metal upper bow panel comprising a longitudinal bowed inverted channel having depending channel sides and flanges extending outwardly from said depending channel sides, a longitudinal metal lower bow panel disposed below said upper bow panel across the channel mouth thereof and secured to said flanges, and a tacking groove within the upper surface of the channel base of said upper bow panel.

4. In a bow of metal construction for an automobile convertible top having lateral bow supporting posts, the combination of a metal upper bow panel comprising a longitudinal bowed inverted channel having depending channel sides, and flanges extendin outwardly from said depending channel sides, a longitudinal metal lower bow panel disposed below said upper bow panel across the channel mouth thereof and secured to said flanges, said lower bow panel having upwardly turned lateral edges extending beyond the outer edges of said flanges, and a tacking groove within the upper surface of the channel base of said upper bow panel.

5. In a bow of metal construction for an automobile convertible top having lateral bow supporting posts, the combination of a metal upper bow panel comprising a longitudinal bowed inverted channel having depending channel sides and flanges extending outwardly from said depending channel sides, a longitudinal metal lower bow panel disposed below said upper bow panel across the channel mouth thereof and secured to said flanges, said lower bow panel having upwardly turned lateral edges extending beyond the outer edges of said flanges, a tacking groove within the upper surface of the channel base of said upper bow panel, and a tacking strip secured in said tacking groove.

AUGUST KELLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 404,900 Crandal June 11, 1889 423,460 Topliff Mar. 18, 1890 1,210,439 Edwards Jan. 2, 1917 1,251,532 Jennison et a1. Jan. 1, 1918 2,322,424 Deisley June 22, 1943 

